Helldivers 2 Update Enhances Multiplayer Gameplay

Helldivers 2's substantial 2025 update, patch 01.002.101, is now live, introducing significant gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. This over 5GB patch increases spray weapon gas durations, reinstates emoting during flight or ragdolling, and implements numerous balance changes.

Approaching its first anniversary, and with the recent Illuminate faction addition revitalizing the game, players eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the Galactic War meta-narrative. The update's substantial size hints at potential unannounced content additions beyond the documented changes.

A noteworthy, albeit peculiar, fix deserves mention:

Resolved a visual glitch affecting the Stalker's tongue (details withheld).

Helldivers 2 Update 01.002.101 Patch Notes:

Balancing:

• General: Spray weapon gas duration extended from 6 to 10 seconds. A despawn timer added for Illuminate dropship wrecks to prevent path obstructions.
• Helldiver: Jogging while carrying two-handed items (barrels, SEAF Artillery Rounds) now permitted.
• FRV: Grenade and stratagem deployment authorized while leaning from the FRV. FRV handling improved for sharper cornering.
• Sidearms: Starting magazines increased from 2 to 3; spare magazines from 4 to 5.
• Stratagem Support Weapons (TX-41 Sterilizer): Crosshair drift and camera climb recoil reduced. Spray weapon gas duration increased (to 10 seconds).
• Armor Passives (Siege Ready): A bug granting extra ammo to all weapons (not just primaries as intended) remains unfixed for now, pending further evaluation. Armory description will be updated later.
• Backpacks (AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog”): Reworked for improved effectiveness, prioritizing gas-unaffected enemies. Targeting logic refined, range increased from 10 to 20 meters. Spray weapon gas duration increased (to 10 seconds).
• Stratagems (MD-6, MD-I4, MD-17): Cooldowns reduced to 120 seconds. Damage increased. Mine deployment spread widened to reduce chain explosions.
• SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack: Now blocks melee attacks until destroyed.

Fixes:

• High-Priority: Emoting during falls/ragdolling restored (without fall damage reduction). Illuminate spawner ship shields now vulnerable to impact grenades. Collision gaps in Illuminate ships fixed. Health packs fully restore stims. High-damage weapons detonate Hellbombs.
• Crash Fixes: Numerous crash fixes implemented, addressing issues related to mission aborts, hot-joining, emotes, fires, drop-in sequences, reloading, armor changes, tutorial completion, extraction, projectile fire, objective carrying, text language changes, and SG-20 Halt reloading.
• Social & Matchmaking: Matchmaking improved for regional proximity. Difficulty lobby matching enhanced. Chat history preservation fixed.
• Weapons & Stratagems: Emplacement retention during text chat fixed. Arc weapon accuracy against Impaler tentacles improved. E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement armor penetration tag corrected. Stratagem turrets no longer target Tesla Towers. Heat weapon visual bug fixed. Melee weapon physics adjusted. B-1 Supply Pack stim sharing restored.
• FRV: FRV reinforcement to prevent minor impact explosions. Camera improvements and rooftop drop reduction. Non-QWERTY keyboard input support added. Enemy launch distance adjusted.
• Helldiver: Ragdolling into FRV fix. Civilian car vaulting/climbing restored. Ragdoll ground sliding fix. Stuck prone gliding animation fix. Pickup animation fix.
• Enemies: Stalker tongue visual bug fixed. Enemy reaction to missed shots fixed.
• Miscellaneous: Various audio, civilian pathing, visual (floating heads), and damage feedback fixes.

Known Issues:

• High-Priority: Black box terminal clipping. Stratagem ball unpredictable bounces. DSSP pathfinding. Dolby Atmos (PS5).
• Medium-Priority: Pelican-1 extraction ramp issue. Explosive ragdolling. Cape display issue. "This is Democracy" emote spacewalk bug. Guard Dog ammo indicator. Barrager Tank stats. LAS-5 Scythe zoom. Charge-up weapon firing inconsistencies.

This update represents a significant step towards enhancing the Helldivers 2 experience. Players are encouraged to report any further issues encountered.